Bakersfield prides itself on having the largest Relay for Life in the country.
The 24 hour walk is still four months away, but on Saturday, hundreds came together at the Park at Riverwalk to start raising money to find a cure for cancer.
"I'm a 3 year cancer survivor and it means the world to me," said Dianne Schuetz.
Schuetz says Relay for Life has become part of her life, a time to enjoy friends and family, and to help those fighting the disease.
"I see friends out here, I've made friends through this journey and I wouldn't trade this journey for anything. I'm blessed."
Relay organizers say so far, 200 teams have signed up, but their goal is 400.
Last year, Relay for Life raised more than $1.6 million.
Organizers say this year, they hope to raise $1.7 million to fund cancer research.
"Through research, we're trying to find a cure for cancer and so it's all about hope. We celebrate the survivors and it's very emotional and you get very grounded by it. It's a great event," said Relay Chair Dana Fabbri.
The 24 hour relay is an event Rosie Azevedo attends every year.
"I'm a breast cancer survivor, 6 years, and that's why I wear my beautiful hat. That way people know --she's a breast cancer survivor, that's why."
Organizers hope to see 15,000 to 20,000 survivors in May, walking the track in their purple shirts, cancer free.
Azevedo says days like these, she feels blessed to be alive.
"It's just nice to be out here with my brothers and my sisters. We've all been through the same thing, cancer and we are all survivors and it's just an awesome day for me."
This year's relay is on May 3 and 4.
To sign up, just log on www.relayforlife.org.